Gold Coast to build permanent tribute for Queen Elizabeth and tribute to King Charles III
Gold Coast city leaders have revealed the surprise ways they are considering honouring King Charles III as the world pauses to mourn Queen Elizabeth II.
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GOLD Coast civic leaders are considering naming a waterfall for King Charles III as the city races to pay tribute to Australia’s new monarch.
The shape and form of the tribute took shape last night as the Royal family, heads of state and the world farewelled Queen Elizabeth II.
The late Queen’s state funeral was held at Westminster Abbey on Monday night Australian time where thousands of mourners, including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese celebrated a life of service.
Mayor Tom Tate, the city’s leading monarchist, is on holidays in the US while council is in recess and woke up in the middle of the night to watch it, remember the Queen’s achievements and pay tribute to the new King.
Council has voted to begin planning a permanent memorial to the Queen, as well as another for the new King.
“Long term, we plan inviting King Charles lll to open the memorial once the necessary approvals have been secured from Buckingham Palace,” Mayor Tate said.
“There may be an opportunity in the future to officially name a park or natural attraction in honour of the King.
“I am willing to discuss that at State Government level, at an appropriate time. It may be a waterfall or other natural attraction given his love of the natural world.
“For now, it is one step at a time and the focus is rightly on the world’s final farewell to Her Majesty.”
The King Charles Waterfall would be one of several around the world named for British monarchs, with Africa’s famous Victoria Falls named for Charles’ great, great grandmother, Queen Victoria.
The memorial to the Queen, expected to be either a statue or plaque, will be installed at Coolangatta’s Queen Elizabeth II Park.
The park on Thursday will host the city’s official event mourning the Queen.
Other Gold Coasters watched the funeral and are planning to use the week to remember Elizabeth II’s reign in their own way.
Destination Gold Coast CEO Patricia O’Callaghan said the Queen’s “absolute commitment” to the public, duty to the Crown and the Commonwealth would be felt for generations to come.
“I have grown up admiring and respecting the Queen’s leadership and will be paying my respects and reflecting on her reign by walking a portion of the Jubilee Walkway with my family,” she said.
“We will be uniting with many across the world in so many ways today to honour the great impact of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.”
PERMANENT MEMORIAL FOR QUEEN
The City will stage a commemorative event at Queen Elizabeth Park in Coolangatta next Thursday before beginning work on a more permanent memorial for the Queen.
Mayor Tom Tate, before laying a wreath in Evandale Chamber at a special commemoration meeting on Friday morning, outlined the plans.
All the City’s councillors who met at 10am, later endorsed the Mayor’s motion of condolence. They then signed the condolence book.
“I know many of you, like me, will be feeling the loss of Her Majesty very deeply,” Mr Tate said.
“I offer my sincere condolences and ask that you continue to look to the Queen’s example of a life of achievement and service in the days ahead.
“Her deeds as our Queen are far too many to list, but suffice to say she had an amazing passion for the Commonwealth and Australia and visited our country no less than 16 times between 1954 and 2011.”
The Queen reigned for 70 years and 214 days, making her the longest serving British Monarch and second longest serving monarch in history.
Mr Tate focused on the special connection of the Royals with the Coast including the visit by the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh during the 1963 Royal Tour of Australia.
“Unfortunately the weather wasn’t kind, with heavy rain falling throughout the day, but it didn’t dampen the spirits of the huge crowds who lined the route of the motorcade,” he said.
“A surf lifesaving carnival was held in their honour at Coolangatta Beach.
“The Queen and the Duke passed through a 50-man guard of honour of lifesavers who each wore a different costume. They represented 44 surf clubs in Queensland and six from northern
NSW.”
Mr Tate said the highlight of the carnival was a Royal march past of 540 lifesavers.
“The Queen remained the Patron of the Royal Life Saving Society of the UK throughout her life and had a special interest in surf lifesaving including being the first young person in the
Commonwealth to achieve the Society’s Junior Respiration Award,” he said.
Mr Tate in his address also focused on Queen’s Baton Relay, the longest in Commonwealth Games history, staged in the lead-up to the 2018 Commonwealth Games, covering 230,000 kilometres over 388 days, travelling to the Commonwealth’s 73 nations and territories.
“The Baton then spent 100 days travelling throughout Australia, with the finals three days on thee Gold Coast leading up to the Games,” he said.
“Sally Pearson was the final Baton carrier, with Prince Charles, now King Charles, reading the Queen’s message during the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony at Carrara Stadium.”
In her message, the Queen said: “The ancient stories told by the indigenous people of Australia remind us that even though we may be half a world away, we
are all connected.
“Over the years these ‘Friendly Games’ have shown the potential of the Commonwealth to connect people of different backgrounds and nationalities.”
The Queen said she was “inspired by the courage, enthusiasm and dedication of all those taking part”.
Mr Tate said condolence books could be signed by members of the public at any of the City’s libraries up until 19 September.
“These messages of condolence will then be forwarded to Buckingham Palace,” he said.
“The City will also hold a commemorative event at Queen Elizabeth Park in Coolangatta on the National Day of Mourning on Thursday 22 September. The cost will be $85,000.
“A more permanent Gold Coast memorial will be planned in the months ahead, to be approved by the new King in due course.”
Council CEO Tim Baker will be asked to start work on getting details for a design of a memorial for the Queen and report back by December 22. About $200,000 will be set aside in funding.
EARLIER
The Gold Coast will become one of Australia’s first cities to honour King Charles III, with plans afoot to name something after him - in true “Gold Coast style”.
A push for a nod to the new King Charles III comes after the Bulletin on Saturday revealed plans were solidifying to create a permanent memorial to the late Queen Elizabeth II at Coolangatta.
The Gold Coast City Council aims to vote in its favour this week.
The Queen statue proposal is gaining momentum with business and tourism leaders, including former premier and Study Gold Coast chairman Rob Borbidge backing the proposal.
“I know the love (Charles III) has for Australia and this city and we want him to visit it once more to honour her majesty’s reign and it would be wonderful to look at the memorial on Queen Elizabeth Park which is already named for her,” he said.
“I think it would be appropriate (to name something for the new king) because we already have parks named for the Queen and Prince Philip so it would be wonderful to have something lasting for His Majesty.
The process for creating a memorial to the late Queen and naming something for King Charles is expected to take around two years, with the timing determined in part by when Buckingham Palace signs off on it.
All things named for members of the Royal family require the agreement of the palace.
Its unveiling would coincide with the King’s inaugural Royal tour as sovereign.
Mr Borbidge, who has met both the late Queen and King Charles, said a memorial was an appropriate tribute.
“People want to honour her memory and we can do something about that here on the Gold Coast,” he said.
“I met her on a number of occasions over the years and I found she was very charming, engaged with people and dignified.”
Coast’s ultimate tribute to Queen
As her passing created an unprecedented wave of mourning across the Gold Coast, Mayor Tom Tate on Friday morning signed the City Condolence Book to reflect the Queen’s passing. Deputy Mayor Donna Gates was with him and also wrote in the Book.
Mr Tate had left the following message: “On behalf of the City of Gold Coast, we are so grateful for your lifelong service.
“In our mind, you were the UNITED in United Kingdom. We were so blessed to have you as our beloved Queen.’’ Tom Tate, Mayor.
Queen Elizabeth II died at Balmoral Castle overnight at age 96 after a long period of ill health. King Charles III ascended to the throne upon her death.
The Bulletin can reveal plans for a permanent memorial or dedication for the Queen.
The Mayor will discuss with councillors about a dedication in Queen Elizabeth Park at Coolangatta.
The art work or statue would be created after reaching out to local artists.
“I plan taking to Full Council a proposal that we commission a memorial to Her Majesty, to be installed at Queen Elizabeth II Park in Coolangatta,” the Mayor said.
“The form of that memorial is open for discussion. It may be a plaque or something more substantial. Ideally, I want to engage with local artists, should Full Council approve this approach.
“Approval would need to be confirmed through The Queen’s Outdoor Trust. Following that, we would then take the opportunity to invite King Charles III to officially open the dedication to his late mother.
“We have amended the Full Council meeting agenda planned for next week (on Friday) so the focus of that meeting will be on condolences to Her Majesty. Other council business will be moved to future meetings.
“I will raise the idea of a permanent memorial to Her Majesty at that meeting.’’
City officers yesterday were ensuring Condolence Books were being “printed up’ to be available at all City Libraries. The Books are to remain there for a period of 10 days.
Cr Gates in the Condolence Book wrote: “Our condolences on the passing of one amazing Monarch. A sad day for us all but wonderful memories of a life of service, unrivalled.”
Flags across the city flown are being flown at half-mast and will continue for at least 10 days, until the Queen’s funeral.
The City has asked that people do not leave flowers but rather donate to their favourite charities. The Queen was patron on 600 charities.
While there is no official memorial, residents can visit Philip Park at The Spit which was named after Prince Philip, and Queen Elizabeth ll park in Coolangatta.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk after posting a tribute, announced details of Government House being open to the public as “an official place of mourning”
Visiting times are between 8am and 4pm on Saturday with the gates open to the public.
“Her Majesty visited here often and displayed her care and concern for the people of this state, especially during times of natural disasters,” the Premier said.
“The Queen was a great source of comfort and assurance to us all throughout Her Majesty’s long reign. Her Majesty was dearly loved and will be greatly missed.”
Governor-general Dr Jeannette Young said the Queen from her childhood was held in great affection by Queenslanders.
“Since becoming Queensland’s Head of State in 1952, Her Majesty has been a powerful symbol of continuity and stability, a peerless exemplar of duty and service,” Dr Young said.
“May her wisdom and calm assurance forever remain a source of strength, encouragement and solace to us all.”
Opposition leader and Broadwater MP David Crisafulli on Facebook posted: “The world has lost a tower of strength and dignity.
“Her Majesty’s unwavering service and dedication to the people were the hallmarks of her historic seven-decade reign.
“This great loss will be felt across Queensland, throughout Australia and around the world.”
Mr Tate earlier had paid tribute to the Queen, saying the royal’s death is the end of an era.
A staunch monarchist who met the Queen and spent several occasions with the new King, Mr Tate said Her Majesty’s passing was a tragedy.
“Her Majesty brought so much strength and stability to not only the Royal Family but the entire Commonwealth,” he said.
“Our city has fond memories of her visits here, along with her late husband, Prince Philip.
“It was such an honour to open our Jubilee Walkway between Queen Elizabeth II Park in Coolangatta and Philip Park at The Spit, earlier this year.
“This walkway will forever link Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh, as did their love and commitment to one another through the years.”
Paradise Point councillor Cameron Caldwell was among the city political representatives to first provide a tribute to the Queen, saying he was “absolutely devastated”.
Colleague Hermann Vorster reflected on the Royal Family’s special connection with the Coast, and Surfers Paradise MP John-Paul Langbroek described the Queen as “a great friend to Australia”.
Bonney MP Sam O’Connor said Queen Elizabeth’s “immense contribution to the Monarchy would be unsurpassed “so this is truly the end of an era.”
Southport councillor Brooke Patterson said the Queen had “always been there” through her life and was inspired by how she was “utterly devoted to service”.
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